Improving Officer Response to Persons with Mental Illness and Other Disabilities

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As first responders, law enforcement professionals encounter individuals
with mental illness or intellectual/developmental disabilities every day.
Family members or members of the community are often involved as
well. And while some individuals are in an emotional crisis, others exhibit
behavior that maybe or is perceived to be linked to criminal acts. Sometimes
crisis can occur because the disability was not recognized quickly enough.
Too often these encounters result in tragedy.